City of Costa Mesa*

Homelessness in Orange County is a regional problem requiring regional approaches and solutions.

The lack of a regional plan designating specific development goals for Permanent Supportive Housing contributes to an insufficient number of available units to house the chronically homeless.

Cities' reluctance to provide sites for Permanent Supportive Housing development has contributed to overcrowded emergency shelters and an increased unsheltered homeless population.

Service Planning Area meetings have successfully brought together city, county and non-profit entities to share information on homeless issues, but have not fostered decision making or action.

NIMBYism has impeded the creation of housing for the homeless, including Permanent Supportive Housing, in the County of Orange.

Orange County cities and the County have engaged in blaming and finger pointing hampering the collaborative efforts needed to site, finance, and maintain Permanent Supportive Housing.

Cities have taken a silo approach to developing Permanent Supportive Housing, resulting in inefficient leveraging and pooling of funds across municipal borders.

There is no established, independent leadership body in the County empowered to address regional homeless issues in an effective manner. In response to these findings, the Orange County Grand Jury made the following recommendations that pertain to the aforementioned findings. Directly below each recommendation and finding 77 FAIR DRIVE PHONE: (714) 754-5285 • FAX: (714) 754-5330 • TDD: (714) 754-5244 • www.costamesaca.gov number, is the City's response. The additional responses to the Grand Jury letter dated October 18, 2018 can be found in bold italics and the section is highlighted for an easier read.